MEDIEVAL NIGHT - KIDSCHARITIES.ORG

5 DECEMBER 2003
SOURCE: http://www.kidscharities.org/treeoflife/medieval-night.html

Fri Dec 5th saw a Viking Invasion on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond at Ardlui.

The Great Hall at McGregors Landing was packed with merrymakers, including King Hamish Clark, better known as Duncan from BBC’s “Monarch of the Glen”.

On arrival, guests were greeted in the courtyard by stilt-walkers, court jesters, and fire-eaters. Inside, a harpist and violinist serenaded revellers as they sat down to a sumptuous Medieval Banquet. The lack of any form of cutlery was obvious and added to the medieval atmosphere of the evening. Ironically, though. a genuine 8 ft Claymore, however, lay across the King’s table, guarded at all times by his Clansmen.

Organisers, Joe McKenzie and his fiancee Maggie had pulled the entire evening together for KidsCharities. Joe’s band, Clannan Drumma entertained the gathering with their uniquely stirring sound of pipes and drums music. Joe has featured in the films Braveheart and Gladiator and he is responsible for the Sgt McKenzie ballad in the film “We were Soldiers”

Guests were tempted to gather outside on the deck as fireworks lit up the sky and toward the end of this spectacular display, we caught sight of the Viking ship, built by the GalGael Boys, on the loch. We were rushed back into the safety of the Hall, while the Vikings, brandishing their swords and dressed in chain mail ran up the jetty, into the hall and challenged the King.

Thankfully one of our heroic clansmen had been briefed, a sword fight ensued, and the Vikings were sent packing. It was a close shave!

Calm was restored and the entertainment continued with nominees summoned to the stocks, where cream pies were thrown at £1 a go! Money will go to the new CHAS hospice at Loch Lomond.

Jim Watt, MBE, ex world champion boxer and a patron of KidsCharities was part of the festivities.

Caroline said “ I can’t thank Maggie and Joe enough for all their efforts in pulling this off! It was an amazing evening … one guest left telling me it was the best evening she’d ever had … and her husband wasn’t even there. Hopefully he’ll join us next year!

Hamish Clark has already pledged his support for the next one. Caroline added “To meet people in your life like Joe, Maggie and Hamish is wonderful. KidsCharities exists because of people like them….”